Whitehall, Nov. 7th, 1788.
My dear Brother,
I waited yesterday before I wrote to you, in the hopes of seeing
Pitt, who had promised to call upon me, and carry me to the
place where we were to dine; but he was delayed by a visit from
the Chancellor so long, that I found myself too late for the
post.
I sincerely wish that I had better news to communicate to you;
but I believe you must consider the thing as completely over.
The King has now been two days entirely delirious, and during
part of the time has been thought to be in the most imminent
danger. It now appears that Warren, Heberden and Sir G. Baker,
who are the three physicians who attend him, profess themselves
unable to decide whether the disorder is or is not of such a
nature as may soon produce a crisis which may lead either to
health or death. The other alternative is one to which one
cannot look without horror--that of a continuance of the present
derangement of his faculties, without any other effect upon his
health. He is certainly at present stronger in body than he has
been, but I understand with much fever. I believe the general
idea of his danger is now very prevalent; but we endeavour (I
know not with what success) to keep these particulars as much as
we can from the public. I have ventured to write this and a
former letter by the post, because you do not seem to have
entertained any apprehensions that, under the sort of
precautions which I take in sealing, &c., this mode is unsafe;
and I think they are such as must have enabled you to detect any
improper tricks being played. The sending a messenger would give
so much alarm, that I thought it much better to avoid it. If the
event happens, which there is now so much reason to dread, it is
possible that I may have much to write to you, and I should not
then have the same confidence in the post. For this reason I
have enclosed a paper, of which you know the use. It is a
transcript of what you left with me, which I have been prevented
sending you before, and cannot send now. Bernard can supply it
in a temporary manner with pasteboard.
Fox is not yet returned, nor have we as yet any ground for
judging of the immediate measures which would be taken, beyond
those which result from former conduct and language.
Since I wrote the above, I understand that Lord Sydney sends off
a messenger. Lest, however, there should be any mistake in this,
I send this letter by the post. The enclosure I will send by the
messenger.
I received your letter of the 3rd this morning. You may easily
conceive that I cannot now enter into the particulars of it. I
will only say that, with regard to the papers, I am persuaded
that, if you yourself have an opportunity of conversing with M.
(as is perhaps too probable), there will be no difficulty in
anything which you desire.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
There is one point on which I much wish for your answer, with as
little delay as possible. Suppose an immediate dissolution, and
an opposition started in Bucks--as will certainly be the case,
either for one or both members--would you have me stand? I
mention this, because the delay may be decisive.